HomeMy WebLinkAbout29. 22-41JANUARY 25, 2022 22-41 RESOLUTION
(CARRIED___7-0____ LOST _______ LAID OVER _______ WITHDRAWN _______)
PURPOSE: APPROVE AMENDMENT TO 2022 OPERATING BUDGET FOR
HORTICULTURIST POSITION FOR THE PARKS DEPARTMENT
($68,203.00)
INITIATED BY: PARKS DEPARTMENT
WHEREAS, the Common Council approved the 2022 City Operating Budget
through Resolution 21-558 on November 9, 2021; and
WHEREAS, after the 2022 Operating Budget was approved, the Parks
Department was approached by community leaders from the Oshkosh Area
Community Foundation, Oshkosh Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, and the
Downtown BID Board regarding potential partnerships to improve beautification of
certain publicly-owned landscape areas; and
WHEREAS, an agreeable solution to the issues raised by the community leaders
after discussions with the Parks Department staff is for the City to add a Horticulturist
position with the Parks Department; and
WHEREAS, the new Horticulturist position would be funded through gifts
and/or donations for the first four (4) years; and
WHEREAS, despite the temporary funding of the Horticulturist position through
gifts and/or donations, the 2022 City Operating budget will need to be amended to
include the expenses for this position.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council that the 2022
Operating Budget be and hereby is amended to include a new Horticulturist position
with the Parks Department for an increase in the previously approved 2022 Operating
Budget of $68,203.00.
JANUARY 25, 2022 22-41 RESOLUTION
CONT’D
Acct. Nos. 0255-0610-11440-4952 Gifts and Donations
0255-0610-11440-6102 Regular Pay
0255-0610-11440-6302 FICA Employers Share
0255-0610-11440-6304 Wisconsin Retirement Fund
0255-0610-11440-6306 Health Insurance
0255-0610-11440-6308 Dental
0255-0610-11440-6310 Life Insurance
City Hall, 215 Church Avenue P.O. Box 1130 Oshkosh, WI 54903-1130 http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council
FROM: Ray Maurer, Parks Director
DATE: January 19, 2022
RE: Approve Amendment to 2022 Operating Budget for Horticulturist Position for the
Parks Department ($68,203)
BACKGROUND
In November 2021 the Common Council adopted the 2022 budgets. Since then, Parks
Department staff were contacted by Bill Wyman, Amy Albright, Megan Lang and Jessica Meidl
representing the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, Oshkosh Convention and Visitor’s
Bureau and the Downtown BID Board respectively. These community partners wanted to
discuss potential partnerships to improve beautification of downtown/BID areas, city-
maintained round-a-bouts and other publicly-owned landscape areas. Additionally, at that time
the BID was informed by their contractor responsible for maintenance activities in the BID that
they would not be returning for 2022.
ANALYSIS
Discussion took place around the Parks Department potentially assuming some of the duties of
the BID maintenance contractor if the partners were willing to commit to fully funding a full
time Horticulturist position for the department. Some of these additional duties would include:
- Maintaining “bump outs” on Main Street and High Avenue
- Designing, planting, watering and maintaining existing downtown flower pots
- Regular/daily maintenance of city-maintained round-a-bouts
- Continued assistance with decorating the holiday tree in Opera House Square
Bill Sturm, Landscape Operations Manager, and I discussed this idea and believe the addition
of another Horticulturist in the department would benefit beautification efforts across the city
as well as in the downtown/BID area. This individual would also be utilized in other
departmental efforts.
We have received commitments from the above listed community partners that they are
interested in and willing to fully fund this position for four (4) years 2022-2025. After the initial
4 years, it is assumed the position will be funded by the city going forward. However, the
continuation of this or a similar partnership could potentially continue to fund the position.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total fiscal impact of this budget amendment is $68,203 for 2022 to fund the position
beginning March 1st. The amendment will authorize this funding for the Horticulturist position
to the Parks Revenue Facilities Fund A/N#:
0255-0610-11440-4952 (Gifts and Donations revenue) = $68,203
0255-0610-11440-6102 (Regular Pay) = $39,620
0255-0610-11440-6302 (FICA Employers Share) = $3,031
0255-0610-11440-6304 (Wisconsin Retirement Fund) = $2,575
0255-0610-11440-6306 (Health Insurance) = $21,600
0255-0610-11440-6308 (Dental) = $1,352
0255-0610-11440-6310 (Life Insurance) = $25
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council approve this amendment.
Respectfully Submitted, Approved,
Ray Maurer, Parks Director Mark A. Rohloff, City Manager